A) On 4 October 1943, B-24D Serial #42-72873 of 44th Bomb Group, 67th Bomb Squadron was flying a Diversion over the North Sea, feigning attacks toward Wilhelmshaven and Emden. The purpose was to draw German fighters from the B-17 formations on their big attack on the factory complexes of Frankfurt, Germany.



42-72873 was attacked head-on by 4 enemy aircraft over the North Sea and was severely damaged. It was seen to go into a spin. Pilot Robert G. Stamos gave the order to bail out.



Navigator John A. Must and Bombardier Donald G. Campbell left the plane over the North Sea and were lost. They are still listed as Missing In Action (MIA).



Using their AFCE (automatic pilot) equipment, Pilot Stamos and Co-Pilot Howard W. Metts managed later to get back the control of the ship and brought the B-24 and the remaining crew back to England. Missing Air Crew Report – MACR 5149.



B) On the secret Carpetbagger mission to supply the French Resistance in arms and materiel (Mission “Ventriloquist 35”) on the night of 4-5 July 1944, B-24 #42-72873 was attacked above Artenay, North of Orleans, by a German Me110 fighter and shot down, Hptm Fritz Söthe of II.4/NJG4 being credited for its loss. Missing Air Crew Report - MACR 6990.



According to a statement in MACR 6990, 42-72873 was the only aircraft on that secret Carpetbagger mission. Co-Pilot Edward Tappan was the sole survivor of the 8-man crew and managed to evade capture.



Seven crew were Killed In Action (KIA) : Pilot John O. Broten; Navigator Roy C. Gehue; Bombardier Alfred C. Emert; Radio Operator William Freidkas; Engineer/Top Turret Gunner Harry L. Sparks; Left Waist Gunner Jessie R. Ellis; Tail Gunner Michael J. Pranzetelli.



A plaque to their memory was inaugurated on 14 August 1994 in Trancrainville in the presence of Co-Pilot Edward Tappan. It is located on a wall left to the entrance of the local cemetery.